Skin Cancer: How to Check Your Moles, Spots or Lesions
Regular skin checks at home or at a professional’s clinic allow for better evaluation and thorough checks for skin cancer signs and symptoms.
Changing or new moles are the first signs that one must look for when checking skin for skin cancer. In this guide, get complete guidance on how to check your moles, spots or lesions for skin cancer.
When Skin Cancer Happens?
Skin cancer happens when something changes in how your skin cells grow. Mainly, skin cancer begins when damage to skin cell DNA causes them to grow and divide uncontrollably, a process that can lead to tumours. This damage is often the result of exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds, but genetic factors and other exposures can also play a role. Here are some factors that can lead to skin cancer:
- Lifestyle factors like excessive exposure to UV radiation, sunburn history and chemical exposure can increase the chances of getting skin cancer.
- Personnel and genetic factors like fair skin, blond or red hair, light-colored eyes, or a tendency to freckle are at a higher risk because their skin has less protection from melanin.
- Having a large number of moles, especially atypical or unusually shaped moles, increases the risk.
- Having certain precancerous skin lesions, such as actinic keratosis, increases the risk of developing certain types of skin cancer.
These are some factors that can increase the risk of skin cancer.
ABCDE Rule: Check Skin Cancer Moles, Spots or Lesions
| ABCDE Rule | Explained |
| A: Assymetry | One half of the mole doesn’t match the other half. Looking for mole asymmetry is crucial because melanomas are often asymmetrical, meaning one half of the mole does not match the other. This is a key indicator in the ABCDEs of melanoma rule, where a normal, benign mole is typically symmetrical, while a cancerous one is likely to be uneven. A normal or benign mole will have a symmetrical shape. If you were to draw a line down the middle, both halves would look similar. |
| B: Border | The edges are irregular, ragged, notched, or blurred. Looking for an irregular or jagged border on a mole is crucial during a skin cancer exam because it is a key sign of melanoma. A healthy mole typically has a smooth, well-defined border, while a cancerous mole is more likely to have blurry, notched, or ragged edges, indicating the irregular growth pattern of cancer cells. |
| C: Colour | The colour is not uniform and may include different shades of brown, black, red, white, or blue. Irregular colour variations are a major warning sign for skin cancer, particularly melanoma. Unlike harmless moles that are usually one colour, melanomas often display multiple shades, such as black, brown, tan, red, white, or blue, which suggests a more aggressive growth. |
| D: Diameter | The mole is larger than 6 millimetres, though melanomas can sometimes be smaller. A mole larger than 6 mm is considered a “warning sign” that warrants further examination, especially when combined with other characteristics. While some melanomas can be small, many are larger than 6 mm, and most harmless moles are smaller than this. |
| E: Evolution | The mole is changing in size, shape, or colour, or is a new spot that looks different from others. Changes in size, shape, colour, or height can be a warning sign of melanoma. Unlike benign moles, which are typically stable, evolving moles may indicate that a cancerous process has begun, making them a critical reason to see a dermatologist for an evaluation. |
Skin cancer screening is essential to ensure that the mole is a worrying sign of cancer or just a normal one. Allow your skin specialist to conduct an examination to ensure that you are cancer-free.
FAQs: Skin Cancer and Check Ups
Q1. How often should you see a dermatologist for skin cancer?
At least once a year. If you have a history of skin cancer or a family history, then visit often.
Q2. What signs show that cancerous cells are present?
Unexplained lumps or swelling, changes in moles or skin, persistent pain or fatigue, unusual bleeding, and changes in bowel or bladder habits.
Q3. Whom to visit for a skin examination?
You should visit a dermatologist for a skin examination. They are medical doctors who specialise in skin, hair, and nail conditions and can diagnose and treat a wide range of issues.
Final Thoughts
At SCCQ, your skin examination will be comfortable with experts. These experts conduct regular examinations to ensure you are living a healthy and cancer-free life. They do look for specific signs and symptoms of skin cancer and recommend further checks if they find any suspicious activity.
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